As OPS part of our mission is to participate in STEM outreach to inspire others to be scientists and engineers. We hope to show the future generation that there are opportunities in the optics and photonics industry within the Gallatin Valley and beyond.

Events

Our outreach events include:

  • Organizing and hosting the International Day of Light (an annual celebration of light based research, technology, and art)
  • Optics demonstrations on campus
    • We participate in many of MSU’s STEM related outreach events during the school year, including MSU Family Science Day and summer camps
  • Optics demonstrations for local schools 
    • We are always looking for new opportunities to bring STEM outreach into schools, in the past we have gone to Story Mill Elementary and Divine Mercy Academy
    • We have also hosted field trips for local schools on campus

 

Demos

We have a variety of hands on optics demos, including:

  • A thermal camera

  • Sheets of polarizing film and a computer monitor with the front polarizer removed

  • Diffraction glasses

  • Measuring the thickness of a hair using a laser

  • Poisson’s spot

  • Color theory

  • Total internal reflection

  • Lenses

 

We are open to partnerships! Contact our Vice President Corey Pearson to get more information.